Champa Garden - San Francisco

TL; DR - Food poisoning on Christmas Day 2024. I'm posting this late because I accidentally left this review on the Oakland location page. This place used to be our go-to Thai spot because the food was always consistent and delicious. On Christmas Eve, my husband and I ordered our usual take-out dishes. The fried rice was dry, but the Pad Thai and curry were delicious. Fast forward a couple of hours later, my husband and I woke up in the middle of the night with extreme upset stomachs – vomiting, diarrhea, aches, and shivers. Pretty sure we got food poisoning and had to spend our Christmas Day both sick with a rambunctious toddler at home (who thankfully did not eat any of the food so he was fine). Hopefully, this was a one-time occurrence, but I am very wary of this place going forward.

This Asian fusion restaurant offers a solid experience with its Thai and Laotian cuisine at decent prices. I was initially excited to try the Kaow Soi, a dish I love for its thick egg noodles and creamy yellow broth. However, the "Lue's Noodle Soup - Kaow Soy" I ordered featured white rice noodles and a watery, brown broth, more akin to beef noodle soup than the expected creamy coconut style. While the taste was fine, it was a disappointment as it wasn't what I anticipated, though I wonder if this is the Laotian variation. Fortunately, other dishes were more successful. The Pad Se-ew was standard, but the fried tilapia was a standout, boasting a perfectly crispy exterior and moist interior. The Champa Sampler, a good sharing option, included Lao sausages, fried spring rolls, and fried rice ball salad. The Mango Sticky Rice was simply delicious. The service was exceptional; the entire staff was friendly, prompt, and competent, with servers regularly checking in and refilling waters, a welcome change from many Asian restaurants. The ambience was pleasant, with a clean and well-organized medium-sized establishment. Restrooms were clean, despite some minor vandalism. Finding parking in the greater San Francisco area can be difficult, but we were lucky to find free street parking. Overall, if you're seeking traditional Thai food, you might be slightly let down. However, for those open to a different interpretation of Thai dishes or interested in Laotian cuisine, Champa Garden delivers. It truly comes down to expectations. My rating is 3. 5, rounded up to 4 due to the outstanding staff.

My recent dining experience began with a strong smell of cleaning solution, which was quite off-putting. Despite this, I was hungry and decided to stay. I was surprised to be served onion soup, which wasn't on the menu and contained onions, button mushrooms, and tomatoes – an unusual combination for what I perceived as an Asian restaurant. The shrimp, however, was very tasty, delicious, and perfectly cooked, and the broth was also delicious. Unfortunately, I experienced a stomach ache from the excessive onions. The avocado wrap looked amazing, but the mint stems were not removed, making it tough to eat. With the addition of nuts and chilies, it became super delicious, and I would highly recommend it if the mint stems were addressed.

My experience at the restaurant was great! I really enjoyed the Champa sampler, which came with the Crispy Rice salad and Lao sausage. The Papaya salad was also good. The food quality was excellent, and I appreciated the variety offered. Overall, a very satisfying meal.

This restaurant is one of my go-to places! I had the Pad Prik King, which offered a perfect combo of veggies and meat with a little zing. The service was friendly and attentive, and the ambiance provided a decent amount of seating. I also appreciated the good portion of food for the price, which left me feeling full. It's a reliable choice for a satisfying meal.